Sean Grayson appeared in a Sangamon County courtroom for the final time before his jury trial starts on Oct. 20 in Peoria.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - Sean Grayson appeared in a Sangamon County courtroom for the final time before his jury trial starts on Oct. 20 in Peoria. The judge said the purpose of the final hearing was to ensure that Grayson understood what his charges were and what the trial would look like. 

Sangamon County State's Attorney John Milhiser shared what the sentencing range could be for Grayson's charges. These charges include first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct. Milhiser said the first-degree murder charge carries a sentence of 20 to 60 years. The fact that he used a firearm extends the range to a life sentence. 

The Massey family said it was difficult to hear the wide range of years Grayson could serve. 

"When you say the 20-year sentence, for example, Sonya was 36 when she died," said Teresa Haley, a community activist. "In 20 years from now, her daughter will just be 36. So we're hoping that he's in there the minimum of 45 to 100 years. We hope that he never gets out of jail." 

Sonya Massey's cousin Sontae Massey shared his hope for the trial as well. 

"We're hoping for justice," Massey said. "We're hoping that God answers our prayers. We are still hurt, but we're expecting the right outcome."

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'She said she would change the world': Sonya's Massey's family remembers her one year later 

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